There's Something about Cuenca that Brings People Back

Dear Family and Friends,

We have been spending time this past week with some old friends.

When we first tried out Cuenca, three years ago, we rented an apartment for seven months.  During that time we met many people.  Some of those people we hear from occasionally and some we were like ships that pass in the night.

The first couple I will share about is Jeanne and Vickie.  We met Jeanne and Vickie on a cruise ship about four years ago.  The next year, when we were in Cuenca, they came to visit us.  We occasionally heard from them but did not actually think we would ever see them again.

Well, Jeanne has been here several weeks, basically doing what we did three years ago.  She is hosting friends from the U.S. and to our surprise and amazement one of them was Vickie.

Here is a picture of Jeanne and Vickie when they visited us three years ago.

 

And, here Jeanne is with our neighbor, Bea, on our recent trip to Saraguro.

Three years ago we met Elzbieta and Russell at the Eucalyptus restaurant.  We invited them over to visit us at our condo.  Actually, I doubted that we would ever see them again.  But, never say never, they returned to Cuenca last week for another look see.  They contacted us and we were able to have a reunion of sorts.

I looked through the old pictures from three years ago and found this picture of Elzbieta and Russell.

Here is a picture I took last week when they came to visit us.

Life is interesting, you never know what is around the next bend.  Now I expect we will be seeing Jeanne and Vickie and Elzbieta and Russell again in the furture.  One day we may even be neighbors with them here in Cuenca.

Hugs,
Nancy

This Week's Flowers

Dear Family and Friends,

Every Wednesday morning, about 8:30 or 9:00am, Chuck walks to the Feria Libre market to get fresh cut flowers to put throughout our condo.  This past Wednesday he didn't go for some reason.  The flowers we had displayed were looking pretty sad. Yesterday he went to the market to get some fresh flowers. 

Here he is with this weeks supply.  I asked him how much he spent.  He said "Too much."  He spent $11.00.

Smile......

Love,
Nancy

Strange but Predictable

Dear Family and Friends,

I never get tired of the sights we see when walking to town.  This is in a residential neighborhood.

Have a great day.

Hugs,
Nancy

Saraguro Adventure - Part V

Dear Family and Friends,

On our tour of Saraguro, we were standing across the street from the church when the service ended.  I took the following pictures.  Such beautiful people.

 

After the church was empty, we went to see the inside.

Here are some ladies that agreed to pose for us.  They do not have on their black shawls so you can see their colorful blouses and beads.  We were told the white hats are only worn on Saturday and Sunday. During the week they wear black hats.

We ended our tour with dinner.  Here are Bea and Chuck enjoying their cuy.  I was the only one that opted out, I chose to have chicken. 

We got home late, but we had a wonderful tour.  The cost was $65 per person, including transportation and meals.  We found the advertisement for this tour at the California Kitchen restaurant.  This is a picture of the ad.

Now we getting ready for carnival.

Wishing you a fantastic weekend.

Love,
Nancy

Saraguro Adventure - Part IV

Dear Family and Friends,

After visiting the pottery factory, we rode into the town of Saraguro.  First we walked through the market.  Sunday is the biggest market day....so we were there on the perfect day.  Chuck had read this and that is why we did the tour on a Sunday.

Being a "city girl" I guess I had never thought about it.....but take a look, chickens DO have ears.

Here is Jeanne looking at some pots.  The dish she is holding is called a tiesto.  It is the same dish that the restaurant, Tiestos, in Cuenca uses to cook their wonderful entrees.

This is a table that was set up to sell natural remedies.  The container with the red liquid (dragon's blood) is a product of the rolled up tree bark under the man's arm.  The other containers have snakes inside some sort of liquid.

 

I think this lady has the same philosophy as I do regarding drinking the snake water.

Evidence that the game of "Guess Who" is universal....

At the main square we looked at the bead work that was for sell.

My favorite....

A couple of ladies shopping.  These beaded necklaces are worn over their blouses making a beautiful collar.

Inside one of the little shops, a lady demonstrates how she spins thread from wool.

The collar on her blouse is made of beads.

Another good reason to go to Saraguro on Sunday is because the people are wearing their finest clothes to go to church.

We were standing across the street from the church when it let out.  I will share pictures with you next time.

Hugs,
Nancy